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Art History

Non-Circulating Materials

Many books in the Art Collection have the status “non-circulating” because they are expensive and difficult to replace, especially exhibition catalogs which may have been produced as a limited run from an art gallery. Multi-volume sets and catalogues raisonnés do not circulate because of their cost and often, their size. Other libraries do not lend these works either and they are rarely available for purchase as e-books. It is part of the library's collection stewardship of these special materials that they do not generally circulate.

Examples of works that do not circulate are:

If a faculty member or graduate student wishes to sign out a non-circulating item, a one-time override to allow use for four weeks is usually  acceptable. Please place your Request, and the materials will be assessed against the circulation criteria and library staff will reply to you within three days. Also note that one-time overrides cannot be renewed electronically online but must be brought in for renewal.

Considerations for Circulation

Art books are often beautifully illustrated and require different circulation policies from text-based monographs because of their content and format. Criteria used to determine circulation status includes:

Scope: Catalogues raisonnés are critcal catalogs of an artist's work in a given medium or all media and offer detailed descriptions for the purpose of art identification.

Rarity: This is determined by scarcity, age, historical significance, physical and aesthetic properties, and content. Publisher, used bookstore, and library holdings reflect rarity.

Value: Items that are valued far above the amount charged to patrons if a work is lost or damaged, starting at $200.

Availability: Publisher and used bookstore lists reflect ease of replacement, especially for historic publications or small gallery runs. Many art titles are not available as e-copy.

Format: Series that document artists over time in multi-volume sets are heavy and best consulted in place.

Size: Materials that cannot be easily transported or protected from the weather because of their shape and weight should be consulted in place.